☆Chapter 14:The Chaos Duo: Seraphina and Matteo☆

There were many titles in the underworld.

Boss.

Heir.

Right-hand man.

But there was one title that Matteo De Luca never expected to hold.

Babysitter.

☆☆☆

"You're officially her guard now."

Lorenzo's voice was final.

Matteo blinked.

"Come again?"

Lorenzo's gaze was cold.

"Seraphina. You. Guard her."

Matteo's smirk was instant.

"Oh, this is going to be fun."

☆☆☆

Not Fun.

"I hate this."

Seraphina scowled.

"Same."

Matteo groaned, acting all disappointed.

The two of them sat on the balcony of the De Luca mansion, both looking like they had been sentenced to death.

"Why are you always following me?" Seraphina complained, arms crossed.

"Because I'm your guard, kid."

Seraphina's glare was deadly.

"You're annoying."

Matteo smirked.

"Takes one to know one."

Seraphina's lips twitched.

"Can't you just let me sneak out once?"

Matteo raised a brow.

"And have your father skin me alive? No, thanks."

Seraphina huffed.

"Useless."

Matteo grinned.

"Charming as ever, Princess."

☆☆☆

Matteo was annoying.

But…

He was useful.

And Seraphina?

She was smart.

"You know…" Matteo drawled one afternoon, leaning lazily against the wall.

"I could tell you some… interesting things about your father."

Seraphina's ears perked up.

"Interesting?"

Matteo's smirk was devilish.

"Oh, yeah. Weaknesses."

Seraphina's eyes sparkled.

"Go on…"

"He hates glitter."

Seraphina blinked.

"Glitter?"

Matteo grinned.

"Finds it impossible to get rid of."

"Noted."

"He also has a thing about symmetry. If something's out of place…"

Seraphina's smile grew wider.

"And… he's weird about smells."

Seraphina leaned closer.

"Smells?"

Matteo nodded.

"Cinnamon. Makes him gag."

Seraphina's grin was evil.

"Matteo."

"Yes, Princess?"

"We're going to have so much fun."

☆☆☆

Prank #1 – The Glitter Bomb

Lorenzo entered his office.

BOOM.

Glitter.

Everywhere.

His jaw clenched.

Matteo was whistling innocently in the corner.

"Matteo."

"Yes, boss?"

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"Explain."

Matteo gestured to Seraphina, who was peeking from behind the couch.

"It was her idea."

Lorenzo's gaze darkened.

Seraphina blinked.

"I'm cute. You can't get mad."

Lorenzo's lips pressed into a thin line.

Matteo snorted.

☆☆☆

Prank #2 – The Crooked Picture

Lorenzo walked into his study.

Every single frame…

Slightly tilted.

Lorenzo's eye twitched.

"Matteo."

Matteo barely contained his grin.

"What now, boss?"

Lorenzo's cold glare scanned the room.

"Fix it."

Matteo didn't move.

"Why don't you ask the culprit?"

Lorenzo's head turned—

Seraphina.

Holding a leveler like a proud architect.

"Nonno said I should learn about balance."

Lorenzo's expression was deadly.

"Seraphina."

Seraphina grinned.

"Yes, sir?"

Lorenzo's jaw ticked.

☆☆☆

Prank #3 – The Cinnamon Incident

Lorenzo took a sip of his morning espresso.

And froze.

The taste of cinnamon invaded his senses.

Lorenzo's hand clenched the cup.

"Matteo."

Matteo didn't even try to hide his laughter.

Lorenzo's gaze darkened.

"You're dead."

"Technically, she made the coffee."

Lorenzo's head snapped toward Seraphina.

She was innocently sipping her own drink, eyes wide.

"It's good for your heart, sir."

Lorenzo's lips pressed together.

Matteo's laughter echoed in the room.

☆☆☆

Whenever Lorenzo's patience ran thin…

Seraphina and Matteo had one solution.

Nonno.

"RUN!"

Seraphina grabbed Matteo's hand as Lorenzo's rage reached its peak.

They bolted.

Down the hall.

Through the corridors.

And straight to—

Nonno's study.

☆☆☆

Nonno: The Shield

"Nonno! Help!"

Seraphina slid into the room, Matteo close behind.

Don De Luca looked up from his chessboard, brow raised.

"What did you do this time?"

"Nothing!" Seraphina grinned.

"We're innocent."

Matteo was out of breath.

"Mostly innocent."

Then…

Lorenzo.

Dark.

Dangerous.

Livid.

"Move."

Nonno smirked.

"Why?"

Lorenzo's gaze hardened.

"They're dead."

Nonno sighed dramatically.

"You can't kill your daughter. And Matteo… well, I still need him."

Matteo grinned.

"Thanks, Don."

"Shut up."

☆☆☆

Lorenzo's jaw clenched.

He knew he had lost.

Again.

"This isn't over."

Seraphina peeked from behind Nonno.

"Of course, sir."

Matteo winked.

"Whatever you say, boss."

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.

"Both of you. Out."

Seraphina and Matteo exchanged grins.

Victory.

☆☆☆

As Lorenzo watched them leave—

His daughter and his right-hand man…

A nightmare duo.

He couldn't help but think…

He was so screwed.

And for the first time…

Lorenzo feared for his sanity.

"God help me."